The All New Mac App Store

Ladies and gentlemen...the Mac App Store is almost here! It is going to be released on January 6, 2011, so says Apple.

Apple also claims that the Mac App Store is going to be just like your "App Store" for the iPad, iPod, or iPhone, except this App Store is for your Mac. "Great Apps on your Mac, Right on your Mac". When you download an app, the app automatically popsright in your dock with a progress bar on where it is in the download process. It also automatically checks for updates on each app that you get from the store. "Update one app at a time or all of them at once, and you’ll always have the latest versions", claims Apple.

The Bottom Line

Is the Mac App Store really worth-it? I think so. It does seem like Apple is going more towards iOS with all of their products. Do you think it's worth-it? Comment below!

I'll have a review of the Mac App Store when it comes out.

To read more, check out Apple's page here.

Dominion Productions: Teaser Trailer 2

Here is the second teaser trailer for our documentary:

Weighing the Evidence Teaser Trailer #2 from Dominion Production Films on Vimeo.

Are We Really This Dull?

Godly Conversations

This morning we had our weekly Men's Bible Study. We are going through a book by Douglas Bond called "Fathers and Sons: Stand Fast". This chapter in particular really struck me. We talked about godly conversations.

When you are talking with your friends, and an unbeliever happens to be listening in, would this be something different for him? In other words, would he see that you have joy in Christ? Or would he simply see what he sees everyday at school? I tend to find myself wanting to talk about things other than Christ.

Whatever is in your heart, that is what you are going to talk about. For example, if I talked to you about movies, my heart isn't in the right place. Obviously movies are an idol for me. But if someone talks to you about Christ, that means that they put Christ first, which is a good thing.

If someone talks to you about Christ, you are probably going to respect that person. I would say that they would be a friend who lifts you up. That is why we need to be careful in the friends that we choose. Some of them may pull us down while others lift us up. Oftentimes, then tendency is to think that we will lift them up by being around them so it's O.K. to have a lot of friends that pull you down. However, it's a lot easier to be pulled down than lifted up. In all probability, you will be pulled down.

To summarize, be careful where your conversation goes with someone else. If it goes somewhere you think it shouldn't (i.e. gossip), steer it in another direction. Change the subject or something like that.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Stand Strong!

Stephen B.

Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger

Scions of Danger Teaser from NDFilmmaker on Vimeo.

Electric Fencing

My Dad and I are looking at buying electric fences today to prevent situations like this:

Sketchy Duel

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a while...I've been kinda busy. Anyway, here is a really funny video. Enjoy!

A Nugget of Wisdom for the Evening

The lark is up to meet the sun,
The Bee is on the wing;
The ant its labor has be-gun,
The woods with music ring.
Shall birds, and bees, and ants, be wise,
While I my mo-ments waste?
Oh let me with the morn-ing rise,
And to my du-ty haste.




WILLIAM HOLMES MCGUFFEY, “The lark is up to meet the sun,” McGuffey’s Eclectic Primer, newly rev., lesson 81, p. 54 (1849).

New MacBook Pro

On Friday, I got a new MacBook Pro! There is a HUGE difference between my old PC and my new Mac. Two of the main reasons I got it for was to edit video and audio for our church, and for the documentary we are going to do, which I posted about below. Here are a few screenshots from the Mac. I'll try to post some pictures of the outside soon!

Dominion Productions on the road

Friends,
I would like to ask you to pray for a company that I am working with right now called "Dominion Productions". On Tuesday, a couple of us, including me, will be going down Atlanta, GA to shoot an interview of Dr. Joe Morecraft for our documentary. The title of our documentary is "Weighing the Evidence: Examining the Fruit of Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finney".

The sad thing is, a lot of people know who Charles Finney is but hardly anyone knows Jonathan Edwards. A lot of people think that Charles Finney was good, but some of his teachings were heretical. I pray that this film would turn peoples hearts to the truth about both of these men. Please pray for us a we are down there!

Mac Ads: Stuffed

Macs or PCS?

I can't wait to see the results of this poll. How many of you would prefer Macs or PCS?

The Battle at Cowpens

Cowpens was a battle fought between Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and Bannister Tarlton. Tarlton was very arrogant and thought that this would be a easy victory over the Patriots. He was soon to be proven wrong. At 6:45 A.M, Tarleton met Morgan at Cowpens. Morgans plan was simple: he had 4 lines. The Skirmishers, The Militia, The Continentals, and the the Cavalry. When Tarleton saw the Skirmishers, he ordered his Dragoons to attack them. The militia fired a volley and dropped 15 Dragoons. They then retreated to the Second line with Pickens militia. The British infantry attacked again, this time reaching the militia. The Militia poured 2 volleys into the British and 40% of the British casualties were officers. Pickens' militia then filed around the American left to the rear as planned after getting off their second volley. The 71st Highlanders were ordered to flank the American right. John Eager Howard spotted the flanking movement and ordered the Virginia militiamen manning the American right to turn and face the Scots. However, in the noise of battle Howard's order was misunderstood and the militiamen began to withdraw. It was now 7:45 am and the British had been fighting for nearly an hour. They were tired and disorganized, but they saw the militia withdrawing and believed the Americans were on the run. They charged, breaking formation and advancing in a chaotic mass. Morgan ordered a volley. Howard's militia stopped their withdrawal and made an about-face. The Virginians fired into the British at a range of no more than thirty yards, with deadly effect, causing the confused British to lurch to a halt. John Eager Howard then shouted "Charge bayonets!" Some of Tarleton's men surrendered. Others turned and ran. Tarleton managed to escape and reported the defeat to Lord Cornwallis. The battle was won by the Americans.

I thought it was really interesting. Here is a map of the layout of the battle (Click on the image to enlarge it):

The Battle of Ninety-Six

The Battle of Ninety-Six was an extraordinary event. The reason it was called Ninety-Six was because the citizens thought it was 96 miles to the Cherokee town of Kiowee.

There was a Fort located on Ninety-Six called the Star Fort. It was lined with sandbags to protect the soldiers from being shot. It was built by English Col. John Cruger. Major General Nathaniel Greene and about 1,000 men arrived outside Ninety Six on May 22. They immediately began siege operations, targeting the Star Fort, under their chief engineer, the Pole Col. Thaddeus Kosciuszko. As General Greene was preparing for an attack, he learned that Cruger was receiving 2,000 more reinforcements from Charleston, SC. Greene had three options:

1. To stay and attack the reinforcements
2. To retreat from the Star Fort
3. To make an attack on the Star Fort before the reinforcements arrived

General Greene chose the third. General Greene sent some men to try and bring down some of the sandbags so that the rest of the army could enter and attack the fort. They called this "The Suicide Mission". The men ran through a dug out trench and charged the star for using hooks to bring down the sandbags. Col. Cruger sent out a party of men through the same trench to attack the men on the side. General Greene's men were slaughtered with only a few being able to get away. The results were that Greene lost 150 men while Cruger lost less than 100. Greene then retreated to Charlotte, NC. It was really interesting. Here are some pictures:

Mr. Potter giving a lecture on Ninety-Six

A picture of the bloody attack on the Star Fort


This is where the Star Fort was located

Claire Bear taking a break

Men and Battles of the American War of Independence

Three days ago, we went on a tour will Bill Potter on the Southern Campaign of the American War of Independence. This tour has inspired me to write a series of articles on the Men and Battles of the War. I hope that you will find these articles edifying as you seek to further serve our king.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader Trailer is Here!

Watch the Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer!

Come to the Baby Conference!

The Baby Conference from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

iPhone 4

The new iPhone 4 is out! Here are some of the features:

Record and edit in HD
Run multiple apps at the same time
Facetime calling
Retina display
Two cameras! One in the front, and one in the back

There are many more features which you can read about here:
www.apple.com/iphone.

Tree in a Field

I just had to post this picture!

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?

Right now I'm going through a book called "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy" By Richard Maybury. It's a book in the series called "Uncle Eric" books. If you haven't heard of this, I'd encourage you to go to Amazon or something like that and look for them. They are very helpful. In Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, Richard Maybury talks about economics, inflation, recession, money, etc. I've really enjoyed it. You can buy the fifth edition here.


Stand Strong in the Lord!
Stephen B.

A Discussion on Protection

Yesterday, my friends and I were having a discussion on protecting your families, martyrdom etc. A couple of them think that it is OK to do everything that you are capable of doing to stop anybody that would harm you or anyone else. But if you have the opportunity to keep someone alive, take it. I would side with them. The guys on the other hand though, would say that God will judge them and that we shouldn't take up arms at all. They say that to die is gain, but to live is Christ. If that's true, they say, then we should want to be martyrs. I don't disagree with being a martyr, but God will people or objects to keep people alive.

Psalm 23

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

Shenandoah Valley Tour MP3 Set

Join Dan and Joshua Horn on a journey through a tour of one of the most exciting valley campaigns in the Civil War: The Shenandoah Valley. Learn about the battles, strategy, important men and the causes of the Civil War. Buy it Here.

Note:

This product is an MP3 CD. This will play in many newer CD players, and can be easily put on an MP3 player or iPod. Older CD players do not support this format, but you are allowed to make two CD copies of this on your computer, as long as it is for your household only.

Tracks:

01 - Causes of the Civil War by Dan Horn

02 - Introduction to the Valley Campaign by Joshua Horn

03 - Important Men of the Valley Campaign by Dan Horn

04 - The Life of John Brown by Dan Horn by Joshua Horn

05 - John Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry by Joshua Horn

06 - Impact of Literature on the Civil War by Dan Horn

07 - The Life of Stonewall Jackson - Part 1 by Dan Horn

08 - The Battle of Kernstown - Part 1 by Joshua Horn

09 - The Battle of Kernstown - Part 2 by Joshua Horn

10 – The Battle of McDowell by Joshua Horn

11 – Life of Jedidiah Hotchkiss by Dan Horn

12 - Slavery by Dan Horn

13 - Economics by Dan Horn

14 – Lucy Buck by Dan Horn

15 – The Battles of Front Royal and Winchester by Joshua Horn

16 – Life of Richard Ewell by Dan Horn

17 – The Battle of Cross Keys by Joshua Horn

18 – The Battle of Port Republic by Joshua Horn

19 – The Life of Stonewall Jackson Part 2 by Dan Horn

20 – The Life of Turner Ashby by Dan Horn

21 – States’s Rights by Dan Horn

22 – The Life of Dabney; The Life of Stonewall Jackson Part 3 by Dan Horn

23 – The Rest of the War by Joshua Horn

24 – The Effects of the Civil War by Dan Horn

House Fire

My mom and I saw this in the Raleigh News.

"Intense flames leap from one of the homes destroyed by a fire Tuesday March 23, 2009 in Highland Creek, a new North Raleigh neighborhood. It was unclear late Tuesday night what caused the flames, whether any injuries had been reported and estimated property damages.Stuart Way, who shot these photographs, was one of the first residents to move into the Highland Creek neighborhood in its infancy nearly three years ago. He said he drove up on the scene at about 7:30 p.m. shortly after the blaze started."

MCA Media

MCA Media

More media - Done right.

A Great Conference

We had a GREAT conference. Dr. Morecraft did a GREAT job. I really learned a lot more about His-story than I thought I did (which usually happens when Dr. Morecraft talks about His-story). I made CD'S of the conference which you can order Here. We are also in the process of making CD'S which you can e-mail me and pre-order Here. I had some guys from the Church help me out. I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks Guys!

L-R: Bobby Allen, Corey Smith, Lucas Richter, Me, Joshua Horn

A Labor Intensive Work Day

Yesterday, we had a couple of the young men (including me) from the church come over to help clear our pond of all the dead trees that were around the pond. When they got to our house, I went out to help them. It was about 35 degrees and the wind was blowing around 15 mph. Mom brought us some hot chocolate and it was so cold that I took a sip right away and scalded my tongue. My job was to work with Cooper and Lucas (two of my best friends down here) and make piles of the trees and hook them up with a chain and use Cooper's truck (he has his license) to haul them to the burn pile. We would ride on the trees while he floored it around the pond! Lucas took a couple of videos that I will put on a little bit later. It was so much fun but now my muscles ache really badly! After we were all done we had a burn pile of around 15 feet high! And boy oh boy did we have a fire. It was HUGE!!!!! I will post some pictures of it soon!

Rebels

This is what you can do in a few seconds with GIMP, a powerful, free, and handy image editor.

Picture

The Photographers: Photo Contest

The Photographers are going to have a photo contest!  Click here to see the rules!

Shenandoah Valley: The Treasure Hunt

I am so sorry I did not post this but I saw it the other day and realized how funny it was!

Treasure Hunt Prizes from Joshua Horn on Vimeo.

The Photographers

The Photographers is officially public!  Click here to see it!


Stephen B.

Two Democrats on an Escalator

You'll get a kick out of this!

Atlanta, Day 1

Hurray! I have internet! Anyway, we got to Atlanta after sitting through some TERRIBLE traffic. We did not move an inch for more than 2 hours! Finally, when we got there, we met a few people including Bill Potter! He told us that Dr. Morecraft was waiting at a restaurant to eat with us. We had no idea! So we went over and got to know Dr. Morecraft more. We missed both of the talks but it was a great blessing being able to get to know him more! When we got back to the church, he showed me an actual page written in Spurgeon's hand for one of his sermons! It was great! Then he showed me a plaster of paris mask of Oliver Cromwell which was made not long after he died. You could see his warts, mustache, beard, and everything! I will post more tonight!

Georgia Conference

I am getting ready to go to a Conference with my Dad in Atlanta, GA. We are going down there today and are getting back on Friday evening. We will be traveling in the car all day! I am really looking forward to the time that I am going to have with Him as He sharpens me in God's Holy Word. I hope to meet more people at this conference and make my spiritual walk with Jesus Christ greater and greater. I will keep you updated on everything that happens (if I have internet, that is.)